What are you using, that make you feel you are “building for the ages,” when fastening ACQ lumber?
Lags?
Screws?
Gun nails?
Hanger nails?
I guess the better question is, does your supplier have the stuff for the program? Or not? If not, what do you do? Web sources? Mail order?
I’ve heard that the Columbian drug cartel gangsters, which used to use acid to dissolve their killed enemies, now just box ’em up in ACQ, and they dissolve even quicker.
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Replies
Gene,
The last addition I framed and the one I'm framing now I'm using Borate 2x6's for the sills. You don't have to use special nails. I can use 10d Bright Commons to nail them together and to nail the joists into them.
They look totally different than ACQ. They're almost blue. I took a picture with my cell phone(not that clear)of a 2x4 ACQ and 2x6 Borate next to eachother.
Joe-
is the borate lumber available in other sizes?
I just did a small deck, and needed 2x8s and 4x4s.
And where did you get it?
Have you made any of Huston's bar-be-que lunches? I finally got to my first one this year last Thurs. I've been working no where near them.
Shep,I didn't buy the lumber, I just gave the Builder the list. I think he got it at Westfield Lumber. I'll ask him tomorrow. I'll ask about the other sizes.No lunches, I think that they think I'm to crazy and mighty beat up Joe Glennon........;-)Joe Carola
Edited 6/19/2007 7:40 pm ET by Framer
I'm not certain on this but I don't think the borate treated lumber is recommended for decks, or any other uses where it will be exposed to the weather. Borate is water soluble, hence it is OK for mud sills and sleepers but NG for decks.
Oh well.
I was hoping for some lumber where I didn't have to be so particular about the hangers and fasteners. Like the old CCA.
I'll keep hoping.
There is a newer treament out call MCQ-My lumber yard is getting out of ACQ because of liability and going to all MCQ. It is suppose to be less corrosive than ACQ. I hope to find out some more today.
To answer Genes question-we use stainless and my yard can get whatever you want from Simpson in a day.
Bruce
The borate lumber is rated for sills but not for decks...exposure to weather leaches the treatment out.
We just used borated TimberStrand LSL sills for part of an addition - http://www.ilevel.com/literature/TJ-8100.pdf
Jeff
Ain't no borate available in my locale.
What're you using when fastening to or from ACQ?
>> What're you using when fastening to or from ACQ? <<Gene,I'm using ACQ rated nails.Joe Carola
Gene, I was cutting some 6x6 ACQ today. I know I am not "building for the ages" cuz the stuff is only skin deep in most of it.
This lumber is soft, like whitewood or whatever they call that mush stuff they sell at HD for studs. Rings 1/4"+, must have force fed it to harvest.
I can't see what good this is, some places the penetration is close to zero. Can'timagine there's enough chemical to cause a reaction with fasteners in a lot of it.
Joe H
speaking of hd, they carry this now in northern ohio. anybody used it yet? what do you think? is it only at the depot?
http://www.ufpi.com/product/pwmicro/index.htm
I have only seen it at HD locally.
Went to website in your post yesterday - Their tech bulletin - "Fasteners" made interesting reading - printed it for future reference. Hidden somewhere on their site they also mentioned it was OK to use aluminum flashing if the location was not more or less continously wet.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
>>Lags?
Screws?
Gun nails?
Hanger nails?<<
Stainless or ACQ rated HDG for nails, bolts and screws. My nail supplier has about anything you could want in SS -- including gun staples (I never needed any of them, but he has them).
Triple-Zinc or Z-max for hangers and the HDG hanger nails from the same manufacturer.
If you don't already know - most, if not all, of the GRK screw product line is "Climatek" coated and ACQ approved. SS also available from GRK but not in my locale.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.